I had a cesarean, can my baby be breastfed?


Yes you can. As is the case with vaginal birth, milk does come in quickly with a surgical birth. Again the key factor remains that you will have to nurse frequently. Depending on your operation, if you were spared GA, then you will be able to nurse immediately. If you had a GA, you will probably be able to feed only after you are awake and rested. A few hours here and there will not make much of a difference but the fact remains the earlier you begin, the faster the milk flow and speedier your recovery. Check on appropriate pain relief you will need to be comfortable with breastfeeding; if appropriate medication is given, very little of it will enter your milk and therefore will not affect your baby. Get guidance on how to hold your baby so that your incision won't come in the way.